Basilica of St. Fidelis named Best of the Best

Hays, Kan. — The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that the American Bus Association’s Destinations magazine recently awarded The Basilica of St. Fidelis “2021 Best of the Best” designation in the category of Culture. 

Destinations magazine’s Best of the Best honors outstanding travel industry members who go above and beyond for the group tour industry. Categories include Adventure, Culture, Entertainment, Festivals & Events, Food & Beverage, Lodging, and Shopping. 

“The Basilica is the crown jewel of our Historic Churches of Ellis County tour. It draws visitors from all over the world, 365 days a year,” said Janet Kuhn, Convention and Sales Manager for the Hays CVB. Kuhn made the nomination and secured what is the first ABA Best of the Best award for the state of Kansas.

Those designated Best of the Best have the support of their peers and customers and are known for excellent service. The Basilica of St. Fidelis was chosen out of nearly 60 entries nationwide and was one of only 23 chosen in the Culture category.

“It isn’t easy deciding where to take a group tour,” said Peter Pantuso, president & CEO of the American Bus Association. “People can be hard to please, and even if you have some favorite places, it’s always helpful when you can find somewhere new to bring guests. Each of these destinations and attractions adapted to the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a respite for travelers who could not imagine a world without travel. That’s why we’re honoring the Best of the Best for 2021, featuring 59 top theaters, museums, festivals, experiences, hotels, and more. These are places that will leave your customers happy and impressed.”

Destinations magazine is a guide to North America's best group travel destinations, state-by-state itineraries, planning calendars, and essential marketing and strategic insight. Published bi-monthly, Destinations is available in print and online. To read the latest issue of Destinations, visit https://www.buses.org/news/publications/destinations.

The American Bus Association (ABA) is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry, with more than 1,000 motorcoach and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations, and contract services. Another 2,800 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry. For more information, visit www.buses.org.

Fall is in the air, and we have a few suggestions on how to make the most of it in Hays!

1.  Explore Seasonal Home Décor

From Flowers by Frances on Vine Street to Regeena’s Flowers in Downtown Hays, our talented florists are setting the stage for Fall. With a few new pieces, you can transform your dining table or entryway into an inviting expression of the season.

2. Tailgate with the Tigers

Grab your favorite tailgate snack and head down to Lewis Field Stadium where grills and fans alike are fired up! Fort Hays State University home games are a great way to enjoy the crisp Fall air with friends til kickoff. Find unique Tiger gear at Simply Charmed on Main Street or the Victor E. Apparel and Gift Shop on campus.

3. Cozy up to Coffee and Conversation

Breathe Coffee House is a welcoming space where you can relax with a hot cup of the house custom roast or an espresso. House-made crepes and pumpkin scones are a treat available any time of day. At Mokas, try the Toffee Cream Latte with toasted marshmallow, then stay for a Reuben for lunch!

4. Find the Perfect Pumpkin

Whether your plans are to bake it into a pie or decorate your front porch, you can find the perfect pumpkin – along with kids’ activities and alpacas – at Pa’s Pumpkin Patch. Pa’s is located just 2.5 miles south of Hays on Hwy 183, and open Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Find even more pumpkins, fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade items at the Downtown Hays Market under the Downtown Pavilion at 10^th and Main on Saturday mornings through October.

5. Spice up Your Wardrobe

Fall textures and comfy layers are everywhere in Hays, from Main Street boutique windows to Big Creek Crossing mall. Pick up a new pair of boots at Vanderbilt’s, the largest boot retailer in northwest Kansas, or get styled with a new outfit at Lily & Marie.

With 8,000 square feet of meeting space, the Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Center is changing how we do business here at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Our community is now able to host larger events and meetings for the first time in years. Whether it’s a family reunion or a state conference, the teams at the CVB and the Hilton Garden Inn will make sure your event goes smoothly. The hotel also boasts an in-house restaurant and bar that is open to the public. Try their made-to-order breakfast or stop in one evening for an elegant dinner!

Check out this colorful property at 221 W. 43rd St. through our virtual tour, then make a reservation for a Hays staycation or dinner and see it in person!

Be sure to follow the Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau on Facebook to be the first to see new tours. They can also be found here.